News Release Archive

Reclamation to Temporarily Close One Lane on Highway 39 for Maintenance Work

Media Contact: Venetia Gempler, (208) 378-5020, vmgempler@usbr.gov
Keith Brooks, kbrooks@usbr.gov

For Release: June 03, 2016

AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation will temporarily close one of the Highway 39 northbound lanes on American Falls Dam, to perform crane work to lift and replace a bulkhead gate on the dam. Traffic restrictions will occur sometime after the Fourth of July, weather permitting.

Traffic delays will be intermittent between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., as crews use a crane to move the bulkhead gate.

"The temporary lane closure should not have a significant impact to daily traffic, however, oversize loads will not have enough room to cross while the work is being conducted," said Keith Brooks, civil engineer with the Upper Snake Field Office. "Normal traffic use will resume as soon as the work is completed."

For more information, contact Keith Brooks at 208-678-0461 ext. 33.

American Falls Dam was originally completed in 1928. The dam is part of the Minidoka Project and is located on the Snake River near American Falls. In 1978 the dam was reconstructed and replaced under the authority of Reclamation's Safety of Dams Act.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.